MP Doran: Government cannot keep explaining problems while people keep paying for them

GREAT BAY--National Alliance faction leader MP Egbert Doran used the closing of the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Year on Monday to call for stronger parliamentary oversight, more government execution and a sharper focus on completing measures that directly improve the lives of the people of St. Maarten.

Doran said the end of the parliamentary year should be used to assess not only what was said in Parliament, but what actually changed outside of it. He challenged Members of Parliament to consider whether residents felt better represented, whether government functioned better and whether Parliament had done enough.

He pointed to the handling of the 2026 budget as one area of concern, noting that Parliament debated and approved the budget when much of the year had already passed.

Doran said discussions about accountability, collaboration, communication and coordination are important, but argued that another element must be added: completion.

He said government must complete initiatives that directly affect residents, including securing meaningful relief for GEBE customers, supporting market vendors, providing greater assistance to senior citizens, improving government services, creating structured opportunities for young people, investing in athletes and developing the creative sector.

“We can communicate concerning a problem, we can collaborate and coordinate about how we think we should solve that problem, but if we never actually complete the work, those persons outside are going to continue to live in the same position that they are,” Doran said.

Late budget weakened oversight

Doran said the late handling of the national budget goes beyond a scheduling problem because it affects Parliament’s ability to exercise meaningful oversight.

He argued that Parliament is supposed to question priorities, scrutinize spending and challenge decisions while those decisions can still be influenced. By the time a budget is debated near the end of the year, he said, much of the money has already been spent, projects have either moved forward or stalled and major decisions have already been taken.

“Parliament was not created to make governing comfortable. Parliament was created to scrutinize government. This is our responsibility,” Doran said.

He said the National Alliance faction used the parliamentary year to focus on financial accountability, revenue generation, the cost of living, maritime development, the creative economy, youth opportunities, GEBE relief and government accountability.

Doran said some of the faction’s proposals received unanimous support, some passed by majority and others did not succeed, but stressed that the opposition’s role should extend beyond criticism.

“We did not only criticize. We brought alternatives. We brought solutions for our people,” he said.

Cost of living remains major concern

Doran identified the cost of living as one of the biggest challenges facing households, saying economic statistics and reported financial results mean little if residents do not experience an improvement in their daily lives.

“People do not live according to a spreadsheet,” he said.

He pointed to his motion concerning the price-controlled basket of goods, which he said was passed unanimously, as an example of Parliament attempting to address the cost of essential products and government enforcement of maximum prices.

Doran also said the issue of GEBE relief cannot continue to return year after year without a solution.

“We have heard explanations, we’ve heard presentations, but the bills are still coming,” he said.

He called on government to bring alternatives when one proposal cannot work, introduce legislation where legislation is required and clearly identify the financial cost if government needs additional room to provide relief.

“Government cannot keep explaining to the people of St. Maarten the problem while the people have to continue paying for it,” Doran said.

Points to pandemic-era support

Doran pointed to measures implemented under the former National Alliance-led government during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence that government can provide relief during periods of severe economic difficulty.

He highlighted the St. Maarten Stimulus and Relief Plan, SSRP, which provided support to businesses, workers and households during the pandemic, as well as the Enterprise Support Project implemented through the Trust Fund and National Recovery Program Bureau to provide financing and grants to micro, small and medium-sized businesses.

Doran said the lesson was not that everything undertaken at the time was perfect, but that government could simultaneously seek relief for residents, support businesses and pursue additional revenue.

“When we speak today about relief and about finding new revenue, those are not impossible ideas,” he said.

‘Government needs to become more serious about execution’

Doran said government has become too accustomed to announcing policies, projects, studies and legislation, only for Parliament to later be told that the work remains in progress.

He also raised concerns about road maintenance and other infrastructure, saying these issues transcend coalition and opposition politics.

“Roads do not care who is coalition or opposition. Potholes do not vote. Infrastructure does not have a party card. It simply needs to be maintained,” Doran said.

He also referred to delays involving building permits, saying these affect homeowners, families, contractors, investors and businesses.

On revenue generation, Doran urged government to look beyond increasing the burden on existing taxpayers. He called for a broader economic base, including maritime development, the creative economy, improved collections, investment and greater government efficiency.

He also called for Parliament to improve its own follow-up procedures. When a minister makes a commitment, information is promised or a deadline is given, he said, Parliament should record and monitor it rather than allowing commitments to disappear without follow-up.

Less division, more connection

Doran said St. Maarten must also confront growing divisions between coalition and opposition, political parties, different areas of the island and various sectors of society.

“Connectivity does not mean agreement,” he said, arguing that disagreement should not lead to political destruction.

He said coalition MPs should be prepared to support worthwhile proposals from the opposition, just as opposition MPs should support good legislation brought by government.

“That is maturity, because while politicians argue over who gets the credit, the people are asking who is getting the work done,” Doran said.

He urged Parliament to judge its performance in the coming year by practical outcomes: whether children received new opportunities, seniors received relief, permits moved faster, roads improved, market vendors had a better opportunity to earn a living, government generated new revenue and Parliament protected public funds.

Doran concluded by thanking his fellow National Alliance MPs, faction staff, civil servants and the people of St. Maarten, while urging residents to continue holding elected officials accountable.

“Do not only be impressed by what we say, but watch what we do, watch what we deliver, watch what changes,” he said.

As Parliament prepares for a new year, Doran said his hope is for “less announcements, less division, more connection, more execution” and a greater focus on results for the people rather than political credit.

He also called for improved quality of life, greater safety and security for residents and policies that allow the people of St. Maarten to prosper in their own country.

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